The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-07-09

all the dreadful stories he told me- He de-
cided that Mrs. Mort had killed her hus-
band, and that the dead body was stuffed
up the parlor chimnies. At last, seeing
how frightened was, he tried to calm me
by laughing at himself.
"No, Mary" he said; "I've got it now.
The old lady keeps her husband chained up
in the kitchen, on bread and water, and
only lets him out when he has finished a
book. She finds that that is the only way
TO make him work. :"
| could not help smiling at this idea, but
nevertheless was mighty curious to hear
what my husband would have to tell. He
about noon, and we met him at
the gate.
| saw at once by his face that my silly
fears had been unfounded. He laughed
heartily, as he glanced at my pale cheeks
and scared expression
"Don't be frightened, little woman, he
said, taking my arm. sits nothing so
very dreadful after all. We had great
work to get into the house, and it was only
when the Squire threatened to have the
door broken down that Mrs. Mort LET US in.
I never saw woman look so furious. Mr..
Dale was very polite, but said that, as there
were all kinds Of rumors afoat, he had felt
it his duty to ask to see Mr. Mort in per-
son.
you can't; he's busy answered Mrs.
Mort.
4 am sorry to say said the Squire,
that 1 must insist on disturbing him.
There is suspicion, ridiculous enough no
doubt, of foul play on your part, Mrs.
Mort. Kindly assist me in clearing this
matter up for once and ALL
6 4 can't he's asleep, Gall again, she
snarled.
esYou are prevaricating,' answered the
Squire, 4 must search the premises.
Constable, attend to this lady while we go
up stairs
Mrs Mort threw herself on the ground
before him, and clasping his knees, be-
sought him not to do s9-not to wake her
James, but to call again.
This, of course, only confirmed the
suspicious, and handing the
lady over to the constable, who locked
himself up with her in the famous draw
Ing room, he went up stairs, accompanied
by me,
The first room we went into was furnish
ID with q bed, aud table, and chair. The
table was fitted with writing materials, and
covered with pages of manuscript APPLE
Of books was heaped up in one corner. All
the other rooms were quite empty, and,
after thorough search in all directions, we
were unable to discover any trace of Mr..
Mort, or of his mortal remains.
At last we descended to the drawing
ROOM We found Mrs. Mort at the piano.
She was playing the 'Dead March in
Saul" The constable tapped his head
Significantly as he let's US in.
! ask you loF the last time, Mrs.
Mort said the Squire very gFayoly, 80 tell
ne where your husband IS, on what has be-
come of him. We have searched the
house all over, and can find no trace Of
MIN,
II tell you he's writing his "Letters
from Heaven said the lady, without
her performance on the piano,
He's out; you can't see him.
Constable, arrest that woman, cried
Mr., Dale. You must excuse me, madam,
out 1 must do my duty. You WILDE kept
n custody on suspicion of murder until
We have found your husband, or until you
nave accounted for his absence in salts
actory manner Wilson wait here till I
lend my brougham round. You will come
N in it to the Grange. | am anxious to
void scandal.
ooh |! cried Mrs. Mort, 'if it's as seri-
Jus as all that [ had better explain. Morris
lead. y
"'Ahr said the squire. And when and
low?'
f" Naturally enough, answered Mrs,
Mort. He died of serious anoplcxy In
Paris six months ago, If you will look in
he drawer of my writing table upstairs you
will find the acte de deces from the Paris
'egister Office, as well as the French doc
or's certificate.
"The Squire ran upstairs, and presently
.eturned with the documents in his hand.
Z" Il am glad to see that we have been
he said, 'and I am very sorry
his should have occurred. But perhaps,
madam, you will explain
~ shall explain nothing at all, slarled
he lady. You have no right to ask me.
don't blame you, tut that young imp of
Satan who came here last night CHATS
you Charlie). And if you have done both
ring perhaps you'll all get out of the
house
ave retired considerably crestfallen, but
greatly relieved at the unexpected denoue-
nent of what we had thought would turn
,ut tragic affair. But Dale is firmly re-
iolyed to haye the woman out Of the house
o weeks time, How he managed it !
lon't know"
nBut,r | cried, at seems to me as mys.
erious as ever Why should she conceal
Ter husbands death, and make people be-
ieve he was still living with her? What
motive can she have had ?"
~ fancy" answered my husband,
though, mind, it's mere superstition, that
Mrs. Mort was anxious not to lose the ben
,6t of her husband popularity as writer.
The name of James Mort was worth to her
. clear $4,000 year, as he lived abroad
most of his life, and consequently 1t was an
,asy matter TO conceal his death. Mrs.
Mort had always acted as his secretary, was
amiliar with his style, ideas and projects,
II L. 1 ,,l+Ioes l;tarorx, ohii;tv of har own